0 In Essential Oils/ Homemaking

Your Non Toxic Guide To Spring Cleaning

Spring is finally upon us, which means – spring cleaning! You might not want to do a whole home spring clean, but chances are you could benefit from a couple spring cleaning tasks. With the warmer weather, cheerful blossoms, and chirping birds comes a natural surge in energy and motivation to clear out the old and welcome the new.

 

We can see this philosophy manifest in nature, as liver-supportive herbs pop up in the form of dandelions and chickweed, and our own natural inclination to eat fresher, lighter foods. For our minds, spring inspires us to come out of hibernation, start socializing, and getting rid of old clutter that’s been clouding our brains and sapping our energy.

 

That is why spring cleaning is such a thing. There really is no better time to get motivated to declutter and clean. But with all the spring cleaning, the last thing we want to do is to burden our homes and bodies with toxic chemicals.

 

Have you looked at the labels of your cleaning products? Many products are loaded with toxic chemicals that can be harmful to your family, home, pets, and the environment.

 

Did you know that the average home contains between 500-1000 toxic chemicals? Studies even show that common household toxins can wreak havoc on your immune system, nervous system and reproductive system.

 

You can give your home an incredible deep clean and declutter without using a single harmful chemical or toxic product.

 

Today’s article will walk you through our non-toxic spring cleaning routine room-by-room list-style, PLUS easy decluttering tips…let’s get started!

To Begin, Open Up Your Windows

There’s a European tradition in which people open the windows in their home for 10 minutes every morning and evening to clear and refresh the air. Studies have proven indoor air quality is often much worse than outdoor air quality. So, what better way to fix that than opening a window a couple times a day? Plus, new research has shown an open window can boost your immunity by helping diversify your gut microbiome[1].

 

Gather Your Supplies

It is very simple to make your own cleaners if you have a few simple ingredients. Make sure to gather your supplies now, and make any cleaners you want to use. This way, you can get your cleaning and decluttering done quickly and efficiently.

  • cleaning caddy – to tote and carry your tools and supplies
  • spray bottles – make your cleaners for spring cleaning – chances are you’ll want to DIY all your cleaners after seeing how well they work!
  • microfiber cleaning cloths
  • bar mops towels and/or flour sack towels – great for cleaning tasks that you don’t want to use microfiber for – I use them in the kitchen, washing windows and trim, and for washing baseboards and doors.
  • wand duster – if you don’t have one, you’ll find that they make dusting so much easier and quicker
  • vacuum cleaner with attachments – look for one with a hepa filter
  • mop
  • carpet cleaner
  • blind cleaner – if you have blinds, this makes cleaning them a snap
  • scrub brushes – large and small (or an old toothbrush)
  • window squeegee – if you want to clean your own windows, a squeegee is your ticket to a quick and easy job
  • lint roller – for cleaning light fixtures, furniture, and anywhere you see dust and lint that might need a gentler touch
  • garbage bags – for decluttering while you’re spring cleaning

Now It’s Time to Detox Your Cleaning Caddy

The average American home is filled with highly toxic poisonous cleaning products and pesticides. What most people don’t realize is these products permeate the air we breathe during cleaning and when stored in pantries, cupboards, etc. Therefore, if you want to make a big impact on your indoor air quality and health, it’s time to purge these poisons.
Plant Therapy's NEW Changing of the Seasons Sets

Where Do You Start? Clean up your cleaning products—declutter and remove all conventional cleaning products, laundry products, fragrances, and products containing harmful ingredients. Next, use earth911.com or call your local department of works to inquire about safe disposal of these deemed “hazardous chemicals.” Finally, replace ALL those products with pure essential oils, some distilled white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. We have a great Home Cleaning Bundle listed here. These products will save you so much time and money while simplifying your spring cleaning, plus can be used for so many other health benefits as well.

DIY Spring Cleaning Recipes

Here are some of our favorite cleaning recipes. Make them all at once or make one at a time. This way, you know you are using only non toxic cleaners in your home and avoiding any chemicals that could cause issues with your health and wellness.

 

 

 

Tackle the Kitchen

Here you’ll want to focus on deep cleaning your large and small appliances, plus areas you don’t clean daily or weekly.

  • Move large appliances out from the wall and use a sealed HEPA vacuum, microfiber, or unscented swiffer to remove dust and debris.
  • Did you know: dust has been proven to harbor a variety of toxic air pollutants including phthalates, biocides, phenols, flame retardants, and heavy metals like lead, arsenic and mercury? So, it’s essential to remove it from places both seen and unseen.
  • Use microfibers and your All-Purpose to wipe down small appliances, countertops, sinks, window sills, vent hoods, etc.
  • To deep clean cabinets, dilute 2 tablespoons On Guard Concentrate with 1 gallon of water. Wipe cabinets, and then wipe dry with a cloth.
  • For ovens, heat until just slightly warm (not over 100 degrees). Then, spray a light film of water before liberally spraying All-Purpose cleaner. Let sit a minimum of 15 minutes to overnight. Apply a second time if needed. Scrub the racks with a stiff brush and wipe clean with a wet cloth and dry with a paper towel or dry rag.

 

 

 

Laundry Room

Laundry rooms are a prime spot for toxic dust build-up (especially if you’ve been using conventional laundry products or storing cleaning products here), which is why now is a good time to tackle this often-neglected room.

  • Remove mold and mildew from front loading/HE washers. The Mold & Mildew Spray works well.
  • Get rid of scale and detergent build-up with white vinegar.
  • Clean dryer interior by spraying Bathroom solution on dryer interior, and spray same solution on a towel and run through a drying cycle.
  • Deep clean dryer vent using a special dryer vent brush, or hire a chemical-free vent-cleaning service.
  • Vacuum or use microfibers to remove dust behind and on top of your washer and dryer.
  • Detoxify and declutter your laundry room by replacing those toxic, scented laundry products and stain removers with our Home Cleaning Bundle.

 

read: 8 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON NATURAL BEAUTY & SKINCARE

Next, Tackle Common Spaces

This means your living room, den, dining room, office, foyer, etc.

  • Move furniture and use vacuum to suck up dust and debris behind and beneath furniture and within sofas and chairs.
  • Use On Guard Concentrate at proper dilution to mop hard-surface floors.
  • Dust everything including electronics, shelving, window sills, and door frames using microfibers, your vacuum, or unscented Swiffers.
  • For baseboards, spray All-Purpose and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. This will also help break down any residual pesticides that may have been sprayed on the baseboards.
  • To polish wood furniture, dilute 2 teaspoons On Guard concentrate in 2 cups of water and test a hidden area first to ensure the finish is not affected. Wipe on minimally and wipe off.
  • Clean vents and returns with your vacuum and All-Purpose.
  • Now is also a great time to replace your home’s air filters.

 Shop Clean Beauty, Skincare & Home

Bedroom

Follow the advice above to dust and clean furniture, baseboards, floors, vents, returns, etc. Then, get ready to detoxify your bedroom.

  • Wash all sheets, blankets, mattress covers, comforters, pillow cases, shams, pillows, pillow covers, and decorative pillows using Laundry solution. Make sure all are washable and use cold water for any material that may shrink. Test fabrics in inconspicuous area for compatibility.
  • Vacuum your entire bed (and underneath) including headboards, mattress, box spring, platform frame, etc.
  • Move onto the closet, remove any clothing on shelves, etc. and vacuum thoroughly.
  • Replace toxic moth repellents with non-toxic solutions like natural cedarwood, lavender, and peppermint essentials oils on a cotton ball or wool dryer ball.
  • Declutter by going through your closet and purging any clothing, shoes, or accessories you haven’t worn in the last year. Then donate them or re-sell them at a consignment store.

 

Bathrooms

Just a few simple products will take care of your entire bathroom.

  • Wash any bathroom curtains, towels, bath mats, bathrobes, etc. using Laundry solution.
  • Remove mold and mildew from bath or shower using a heavier concentration of our All Purpose cleaner or the Mold & Mildew Spray.
  • If your tub or shower has stubborn mold embedded in the seal, it’s time to replace it with new seal/caulk.
  • Clean all surfaces, tubs, showers, and toilets by spraying your solution and let sit for 1-5 minutes. Then scrub.
  • Clean grout by spraying your solution directly in the grooves, and let sit 1-5 minutes, then scrub.
  • Declutter by purging old personal care products, razors, hair ties, sponges, back scrubbers, broken hair styling tools, makeup, applicators, medications, etc.
  • Take it a step further by detoxifying your bathroom of harmful, chemical-laden personal care products. Removing all products with synthetic fragrances is a great first step. Dive deeper and remove products with carcinogens. Learn how (and why) to do this here.

Tips on Making Spring Cleaning Manageable and Fun

Yes, spring cleaning definitely takes a little time and effort BUT it doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune on dozens of cleaning products – a few essential oils and/or distilled white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide will do the entire job fast – or taking a week off work. Don’t forget to check out our Non Toxic Cleaning Bundle here!

Here are some tips to make this process efficient, painless, and enjoyable:
  • Take it a room at a time. If this means a room a weekend, that’s perfectly fine.
  • Get the whole family involved! There is no reason for one person to do this alone, plus you’ll teach your children the value or non-toxic cleaning and taking pride in their home.
  • Invite your friends over to help, then return the favor by helping them clean their home. This works great for singles or those with spouses who travel a lot, serve some great wine and snacks, crank up the tunes or your favorite podcast, order some healthy takeout, and make a fun weekend of it.
  • No time? Hire a cleaning crew and print this post as their checklist. Any cleaning company worth their salt will follow your instructions and use the products you ask them to use. Also, look for a company that uses a HEPA vacuum, or have them use yours.
  • Above all, take it one step at a time. The surest way to fail is to try and tackle your entire home in one day. Even if this means doing three little spring cleaning chores every day for weeks , that’s fantastic!

 

And remember, deep cleaning your home with non-toxic products not only detoxifies your body by removing harmful air pollutants, it also helps unburden your mind as you clear away the clutter. Even better – when you clean using pure, therapeutic grade essential oils, you are actually doing a great service to your health! Many of the essential oils recommended here benefit your immune system, nervous system, your detox pathways and more. Try it, you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel.

REFERENCES:
  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22278670
  2. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/chemicals-linked-to-health-hazards-are-common-in-household-dust/
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2367662/

 

 


You Might Also Like

No Comments

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.